Which Essential Oils Are Best For Relaxation
Essential oils have the power to change our mood in an instant. The right scent from the right botanical extract can awaken memories and emotions via our limbic system. In some cases, the scent can cause a very simple physical reaction, and in others, there is a more complex response with sense memories and strong emotional responses. A single drop of pure essential oil can have the power to do a lot. So, it’s no surprise that millions of consumers worldwide seek out various forms of essential oil for medicinal properties.
One of the more common reasons users turn to essential oils is for relaxation. There are also options for reinvigoration and stimulation, as well as concentration. Yet, the ritual of using essential oils lends itself to end-of-day self-care and relaxation more easily. The question is, which form of essential oil should you use? It’s always best to go with the one that invokes the best reactions and you happen to like the scent. Here are some of the best examples to try out.
7 Of The Most Relaxing Essential Oils
1) Lavender
Lavender is at the top of this list purely because of its therapeutic properties as a sleep aid. Smelling lavender has a psychological effect that allows for relief from anxiety, making the oil highly beneficial. Regular use of lavender in various forms can promote better sleep cycles, and few options smell as good as essential oils.
2) Sandalwood
Sandalwood is a premium essential oil with multiple benefits. Some people use it for concentration and find it helps them with tough projects. Others find it relieves stress, making it better suited for breaks from those tough projects. Either way, it remains one of the most popular options.
3) Frankincense
The use of frankincense for mental health dates back centuries, and many people still use the scent in relaxing oils and room sprays. It’s a warm and soothing scent that’s not like the other botanical notes here.
4) Chamomile
Chamomile is a botanical we are more used to tasting than smelling, although something is soothing about walking through a chamomile lawn with bare feet. The scent of the oil is immediately soothing to many people.
5) Bergamot
You might expect bergamot to be more of a refreshing scent because it is citrus. However, the scent of this fruit can be a positive mood enhancer that brings joy alongside anxiety relief. When paired with other notes like Sandalwood, it can be very effective.
6) Rose
The relaxing properties of roses often come in two forms. For a start, there’s the impact the scent has on the nervous system and the ability to ease moments of anxiety. Secondly, there are the links to sense memories. Rose scents are often related to older relatives or childhood memories. Recalling the scent can take us back to calmer, happier times.
7) Valerian Root
Last on the list is one we’re more used to drinking than using for aromatherapy. Valerian root is a powerful sleep aid when drunk in tea before bed. Some people also swear by its use as an essential oil. Still, it might not have the same pleasing scent as the others.
How To Use Essential Oils For Relaxation
Once you’ve found the perfect essential oil for your relaxation after a long day, you need to decide on how you want to use it. Pure premium essential oils are highly potent and can be irritants when used in their current state. Therefore, you need to find a way to dilute them and adapt them into more effective solutions. One of the most popular ways to take a little me-time is to take a bath. A few drops of your oil can transform the bath water and enhance its soothing properties. The scent can then mix with the steam for a truly sensory experience. The floral and musky scents will pair well with soaps and lotions, but you really can use any scent you want.
Another option here is to create a distilled solution of essential oils and water as a spray mist. Misting pillows before bed provides a much fresher and more inviting place to sleep. As you drift off to sleep, the right scents can linger here, right under your nose. Again, some oils are better than others. There is an inclination toward lavender because of its association with sleep and its strong scent. You can also use chamomile for similar therapeutic properties, and both scents can be enhanced by drinking herbal teas with the same botanical elements.
Lastly, there is the option of using a diluted form of essential oils as a topical treatment on your wrists. Many companies sell rollerball products of gels and lotions to be applied on pulse points as a calming measure. Some are perfect for use right before bed, while others are more for general stress and anxiety issues and suitable at any time of day. You can make your own alternative by diluting your favorite relaxing oil, applying it to those areas, and breathing in the scent. You can also work the oil into your hands via a massage for an even more relaxing experience.
Choose Premium Essential Oils For Soothing Nights
The wide range of botanical extracts for relaxation means plenty of choices for essential oils for relaxation. You can take some time to test out different scents and see which leads to the best response. You may assume that lavender is the way forward because of the medicinal properties of lavender bath products and lavender tea. However, you might be surprised at the soothing memories brought on by using rose on pulse points or at how pleasant it is to spritz bergamot on your pillow. There’s no wrong answer here. The only thing that matters is that you need to get premium essential oils of high quality for the best results. Find a supplier with a range of quality products and get closer to a regime of relaxation.
